By-the-Sea Shoreline Birds - Sarasota, FL & Vicinity

ach year as summer draws to an end my family enjoys a treasured week at White Sands in a two-bedroom condo in a four-unit building literally on the Longboat Key beach. Our family tradition spans over four decades. The shoreline birds grace me with lovely poses each year as I spend morning and evenings near the surf or walking the gorgeous beach.

Harts Landing is another favorite feathered-friend site where a squadron of healthy pelicans call the pier home. Snowy white egrets are also prevalent when folks are cleaning their bounty from the sea. Early in the morning an intense night heron is often found waiting for morsels from a fisherman.

A feisty blue heron calls the underside of the bridge connecting City Island and Longboat Key home on the the key side. Once his toleration threshold is reached, the heron stomps off in total disgust - a great photo op!

Occasionally, great heron shots are available in the bay alcove by O'Leary's Tiki Bar & Restaurant.